Special hunt permit application deadline next week
The deadline for special hunting permits for deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose and turkey seasons. The deadline is midnight, May 26, next Wednesday.
The deadline for special hunting permits for deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose and turkey seasons. The deadline is midnight, May 26, next Wednesday. Our advice: Submit the permit applications early.
The permit winners will be selected by a random drawing in late June. New this year is a chance for hunters to apply for a variety of hunts for each species.
For example, an elk hunter can apply for the bull hunts, along with an antlerless hunt without fear of losing points. If a hunter has seven elk points, the points will apply to every elk permit. If the hunter is drawn for an antlerless hunt, but not a bull hunt, the points next year will drop to zero for the antlerless category and eight for the bull hunt.
The cost for each permit application is $6.50 for Washington State residents and $4.10 for youth under 16 years of age.
The easiest way to apply for the permits is online. In fact we purchase all of our licenses and tags on the computer. It is easier and the tags and licenses are delivered in the mail.
One exception to this is a transport tag. If we want to go fishing the next day and haven't purchased our tags yet, we print out the temporary license on the computer.
The same is true of a hunting license, but if a hunter is after turkey or deer, a transport tag is needed. It is not possible to print a transport tag from the computer. Plan ahead, buy purchasing all of your tags now and they will be in your mailbox by hunting season.
Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters to update their mailing address online when applying for the permit applications and licenses. They say each year hundreds of special hunting permits are returned because of invalid addresses.
The permit process may seem a bit complicated this year. Assisting with the process is a worksheet. Find the worksheet at: www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/. Then scroll down to about the middle of the page and click on Special Permit Hunt Choice Worksheet. The worksheet is a great help to us as we try to figure it all out.
Our advice: Submit the permit applications early.
Raffle permit hunts
The deadline to purchase tickets for the raffle permit hunts is July 23. Yet, that's a bit out there, but take a look at them now and we will keep reminding you as the deadline draws near.
Food plot seed available
Columbia Basin Pheasants Forever wants to work with local landowners to enhance upland game bird habitat within the irrigated portion of Grant and Adams counties.
Now is the time to find places to plant mixed grain food plots. Field edges, where optimum irrigation may be limited may not be great for crop production, but can produce awesome food plots. Several small plots, of one and two acres, are the most beneficial and provide both food and shelter when left standing through the winter months.
Food plot seed is available for approved landowners and in some cases can be planted by a Fish and Wildlife private lands crew. Landowners must prepare the ground and maintain it. The seed is available and can be planted up to the end of May.
Pheasants Forever can also help fund other habitat enhancement projects, such as permanent grass plantings and shrub plots.
Please contact John Cotton at WDFW 754-4624 or Gretchen Fitzgerald at 246-1855 for more information.
Spring turkey season ends May 31
The last day of the spring turkey season is May 31. We are going to miss out this year and not be able to participate. The fall season will be our only turkey hunts this year.
Beware of biting critters
We in the Columbia Basin are blessed with many waters to fish and many trails to hike. Fish and Wildlife reminds those of us who enjoy the great outdoors to be aware ticks and rattlesnakes are out in force.
Check your children and pets for ticks after a day in the sagebrush. We are reminded of a friend's dog that enjoyed exploring the sagebrush fields near his home. It was normal for our friend to check the dog over each evening and remove 25 or more ticks.
Rattlesnakes are a bit more complicated. Hikers and anglers must instruct their children about the snakes. Don't let your pets roam and it's best to keep them on a leash.
Scan the trail and the areas beside the trail where a snake may be hidden. It is best to avoid tall grass, but if you must walk through grass, try to be the first one through. If there is a snake in the area, it might become alarmed after the first person walks past and strike the second person.
Yeah, that is just a hypothetical situation, but it could happen. And we haven't mentioned cougars yet.